Abstract B85: Tertiary lymphoid structures in chemotherapy-treated and untreated lung squamous cell carcinoma patients

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) form in chronically inflamed tissues and contain organized compartments of T cells, B cells and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). TLS were first noticed in autoimmune diseases where they support ectopic germinal center (GC) reactions and facilitate the activation and infiltration of immune cells. In cancer B cell and mature DC markers have been used for TLS detection because of their frequent localisation in TLS, and show a significant association with improved survival in several tumor types. Together these studies have driven the interest in TLS as a potential site of anti-tumor immune response activation and/or facilitation of lymphocyte infiltration. Here we aimed to characterise TLS as a microanatomical structure excluding non-organised lymphocytic infiltrates and to determine their prognostic value and association with clinico-pathologic parameters in non-small cell lung cancer patients. We characterised TLS density and presence of GCs in tumor center and periphery using HE December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B85.